It is a well know fact that the Ocean has a major impact on the existence of life on earth. Around 71% of the earth’s surface consists of water and 99% of the habitable area on the planet is in the ocean. The ocean is responsible for absorbing approximately 50% the carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere as well as contributing more than 50% of the oxygen produced by plants. Moreover, oceans have a huge influence in controlling the weather and climate. These are just a few reasons why we need to treat it as the most precious of environments and work to protect it. And also, why you should help save our oceans and become a PADI Torchbearer!
What we have witnessed.
We have affected the oceans with our growing population. Our need for housing and food has meant we have overfished, influenced water quality, and contributed to the decline of coral reefs. However, it is not too late to fix this if we all work together.
The Scuba Dive Online team have each been working in the diving industry for more than 20 years. Therefore, we have personally witnessed the influence humans have had on our oceans. Having lived in many tourist areas around the world, we have noticed a deterioration of coral reefs and water quality due to land development. Additionally we have unfortunately also been witnessing an increase in marine debris
How can I become a Torchbearer and help save our oceans?
PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) have a slogan, “Seek Adventure, Save the Ocean”. This is precisely what the Scuba Dive Online team aspire to. We seek adventure by scuba diving and introducing new divers to the underwater world. We help save our oceans by mentoring new dive professionals to share their passion for diving and conservation efforts with their students.
The PADI AWARE foundation promote marine conservation on many levels. The latest movement, which has become viral, is to sign up one billion Torchbearers. Anyone or any age can become a PADI Torchbearer. You do not have to be a diver, merely have an interest in marine conservation. Torchbearers are advocates for saving the oceans. All the Scuba Dive Online team and club members are Torchbearers, along with their family and friends around the world.
Here are 5 ways you can join the movement:
- Stand up for the ocean – Sign petitions such as “protect the sharks”, attend conservation events, write to your local council about local environmental issues and engage your local community for change.
- Assume Responsibility – Act as role models by taking direct responsibility for ocean health. Rally your local community by organising your own beach and land clean ups, more voices and hands help.
- Dive with a purpose – Participate in conservation programs and contribute to citizen science through activities that preserve underwater habitats helping the local communities where we dive. There are lots of PADI AWARE courses you can join and get certified.
- Reduce your carbon footprint – Restore balance by reducing your own carbon emissions at work and at home. Walk or cycle to work. Use less electricity at home.
- Make sustainable choices – Reject single-use plastic by taking your own shopping bags to the shops or drinking water from a reusable bottle, support genuine eco travel and voluntourism and make sustainable food choices by reading the labels
The Scuba Dive Online team are based on the paradise island of Koh Tao in Thailand. Koh Tao is famous for its pristine coral reef and beautiful surrounding nature. Over the past 20 years, the island has become extremely popular with backpackers and divers. The growing number of visitors has had a big impact on the reefs. Property development and an increase of land and marine debris started to take its’ toll causing damage to the environment.
How are Scuba Dive online actively helping the environment?
Luckily, local businesses and the community realised this before it was too late. Many dive centres including Ban’s Diving Resort and Assava Dive Resort, (where the Scuba Dive Online team of PADI Course Directors is based) hold regular marine debris and land clean ups. Moreover, they have large coral conservation programmes which include the development of artificial reefs and coral transplant gardens.
The Scuba Dive Online team are advocates for the local underwater environment and regularly organise events for divers and island visitors alike. They even guide tours on the Ban’s Diving Resort Conservation Centre & Farm to educate visitors about how large resorts can be self-sustaining. Initiatives include recycling, upcycling, water collecting, planting organic foods, composting and making their own natural environmentally friendly soaps and detergents. Ban’s and Assava resorts have proven that even with large numbers of guests, they can reduce their carbon footprint.
Moreover, by teaching PADI AWARE courses to students, either online through Scuba Dive Online’s unique teaching platform or in-person, the team and their colleagues are showing student divers how to become advocates for our oceans.
Wherever you are in the world, you can make a difference to our oceans’ health. Organise a beach clean up with your friends. Refuse single use plastic. Reduce your carbon footprint. Reuse packaging, clothing and furniture. Recycle everything you can. Join a growing community of Torchbearers who are helping to save our oceans, and your example will influence those around you, paving the way for change.